Any person that is determined, in accordance with paragraph (2), to have violated section 8124 of this title or section 8141 of this title shall be required by order to pay a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $25,000 for each violation. For the purposes of this paragraph, each day during which a violation of section 8124 of this title continues shall constitute a separate violation of that section.
Before imposing a penalty against a person under paragraph (1), the head of an executive agency designated under section 8111(a) of this title shall provide the person with notice of the order. If, within 15 days after receiving the notice, the person requests a hearing, the head of the designated executive agency shall initiate a hearing on the violation.
Any hearing so requested shall be conducted before an administrative judge. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements of section 554 of title 5. If no hearing is so requested, the order imposed by the head of the designated agency shall constitute a final agency action.
If the administrative judge determines, upon the preponderance of the evidence received, that a person named in the complaint has violated section 8124 of this title or section 8141 of this title, the administrative judge shall state the findings of fact and conclusions of law, and issue and serve on such person an order described in paragraph (1).
In determining the amount of any civil penalty, the administrative judge or the head of the designated agency shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation or violations and, with respect to the violator, the ability to pay, effect on ability to continue to do business, any history of such violations, the degree of culpability, the existence of an internal compliance program, and such other matters as justice may require.
The decision and order of an administrative judge shall be the recommended decision and order and shall be referred to the head of the designated executive agency for final decision and order. If, within 60 days, the head of the designated executive agency does not modify or vacate the decision and order, it shall become a final agency action under this subsection.
A person adversely affected by a final order may, within 30 days after the date the final order is issued, file a petition in the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit or in the Court of Appeals for the district in which the violation occurred.
Any person who violates section 8124 of this title or section 8141 of this title may, in addition to or in lieu of any civil penalty which may be imposed under subsection (a) for such violation, be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.